NVRH Primary Care Practices Recognized for Patient-Centered Care

ST. JOHNSBURY, VT (date) – All three Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) primary care practices – Kingdom Internal Medicine in St. Johnsbury, Corner Medical in Lyndonville and St. Johnsbury Pediatrics in St. Johnsbury – have again been awarded recognition by the National Committee of Quality Assurance (NCQA) for Systematic Use of Patient-Centered and Coordinated Care Management Processes.

To receive recognition as Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMHs) for their continuous quality improvement and patient-centered approach, Kingdom Internal Medicine, Corner Medical and St. Johnsbury Pediatrics must submit attestations and evidence every year to NCQA. The practices submitted in November, and all three practices received recognition as a level III PCMH. The NCQA PCMH program reflects the input of the American College of Physicians (ACP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and others.

This Patient-Centered Medical Home model of care supports a team-oriented approach while positioning patients as the primary focus of their care. This means improved patient experience and access, preventative health screenings, and ultimately helping health care providers better manage their patients with chronic conditions. One study found patients living with diabetes experienced higher-quality treatment than those who did not receive their health care from a NCQA-Recognized Patient-Centered Medical Home.

“It was such a pleasure to work alongside all of the practices through this year’s submission cycle,” NVRH Health Service Area Practice Facilitator Sierra Bishop said. “All three practices have once again been recognized for the excellent, high-quality care they provide our patients and I am very much looking forward to another great year.”

NCQA was developed to assess whether clinician practices are functioning as medical homes and recognize them for these efforts. NCQA works with the government as well as the private sector to measure and improve the quality of medical practices and health care providers by using transparency and accountability. Payers also provide incentives to NCQA-Recognized PCMH practices, offering enhanced reimbursements, practice support and coaching and preferred provider status.

PCMH Recognition increases communication and coordination, ultimately increasing patient satisfaction and decreasing expensive visits to the Emergency Department.

“NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition raises the bar in defining high-quality care by emphasizing access, health information technology and coordinated care focused on patients,” NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane said. “Recognition shows that Kingdom Internal, Corner Medical, and St. Johnsbury Pediatrics have the tools, systems and resources to provide their patients with the right care, at the right time.”

For more information, visit nvrh.org.